WORTHINGTON -- City Council members agreed Monday on the need for a newer fire truck, but expressed frustration at the lack of affordable options.
Fire Chief Rick Von Holdt outlined advantages of replacing the department's 1966 model. A truck with a 100-foot aerial platform -- compared with the current 65-foot -- could reach the top of the city's two seven-story buildings and allow easier access to people living on higher floors, especially the elderly.
"A lot of the folks who live in these buildings are not going to be traveling down any stairs," he said.
The city is currently considering is a 2007 E-One truck with a bid price of $809,000. Von Holdt said the truck has greater maneuverability, is more user-friendly and would allow firefighters to more easily access fires from the street.
"With it being a telescoping arm, we could bring it right up to a roof and we could ventilate," he said. "We'd have somebody in a safety harness, and they wouldn't even be on a roof or a ladder to fall through.
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"They could operate right from the (truck)," he added, noting that it could also be possibly used for a coldwater rescue.
Council members expressed concern, however, at the cost of the truck, which is nearly double the $450,000 the department has available.
Pledging money for the 2007 model would deplete the fire department's fund, effectively cutting off funding for future needs.
Director of Public Safety Mike Cumiskey, who has been assisting with the solicitation of bids, also said he's had difficulty getting bids that jibe with the department's desires for a new truck, or even getting a high quantity of bids at all.
"What we need to do is go to other departments and see what they're doing," Mayor Alan Oberloh suggested.
In other business:
- The council met Wednesday to formally adopt the employment agreement with Craig Clark as city administrator. Clark will have a starting date of Dec. 1, a starting wage of $85,857.41, a relocation assistance capped at $8,500 and a performance evaluation in six months.
- Hosted a public hearing on proposed assessments, including a paving improvement project in the alley of Block 21, along Okabena Street and Third Avenue; a sanitary sewer improvement along Knollwood Drive, and an additional assessment for water main improvement in the Worthington Bio Science Industrial Park Additions. All assessments will be paid during a 15-year period.
- Approved the storm water system improvements in the Cherrywood Addition Area.
- Voted to issue senior housing revenue bonds not to exceed $7,600,000 on behalf of the Meadows of Worthington, LLC to fund the construction of a 43-unit addition to its senior housing facility.
- Accepted Amendment No. 7 to the Darling's Third Addition Redevelopment and Tax Increment Financing Plan, also known as TIF District No. 7. The amendment will allow tax increment funds to be used on several projects including the U.S. 59 access road and industrial wastewater treatment facility improvements and housing.
- Approved the license applications for the Long Branch Saloon, permitting dancing and the sale of liquor, wine and beer.
- Approved the third reading of the proposed ordinance to vacate a platted public utility easement in Lots 12 and 13, Block 3 Okabena Heights, and to amend Title XV of the City Code of the City of Worthington.
- Approved the YMCA Operating Agreement. The agreement states that the YMCA must purchase liability insurance, include the City of Worthington as an additional insured and indemnify the City in connection with liability caused by negligent acts in the City of Worthington Aquatic Center.
- Awarded the bid on the Cherrywood Addition Area sanitary sewer and water improvement project to Larson Crane Service of Worthington.
